Astra VXR engine transplant complete!

Finally, we are almost there!! The Astra VXR Z20 LEH engine fires up like a dream - no warning lights, error codes to be seen. Just one small niggle with the gearbox which should be sorted this week but the Corsa is driveable. The important thing is the original objective that this engine transplant would result in a fully road legal Corsa will be met, utilising the standard Vauxhall ECU engine and vehicle management systems. This means that, in the event of any issues the normal Vauxhall diagnostic tools can be used to identify and resolve the problem.
Once the gearbox issue is sorted we will be out and about over the Christmas break putting some miles on the engine amd ensuring there are no problems under normal driving conditions. Then, in the New Year it's onto the rolling road to remap the engine so we can realise the full potential of the stage 5 400bhp engine. A full respray to restore the bodywork to showroom condition and we will be ready to launch the vehicle to the world!

Corsa Race Car Update

For various, unforseen reasons work on this Astra Z20 LEH engine transplant project had to be put on hold. Finally, work has now resumed in earnest in an attempt to finally put this long running project to bed. One last hurdle to overcome is regarding the gearbox cables - neither the standard Corsa or Astra cables will fit so we are having to sort out having bespoke cables manufactured. Not as easy a job as you would think but once this is sorted we are ready to fire up the Corsa in earnest.
More updates to follow shortly.

A bit of Karcher promotion

A good days fun with Thorney Offroad was had at the recent Endurofest event, no race this time but the chance to show off the Wildcat in action round their 7 mile enduro course and try out Thorney's new Karcher pressure washer.

The course was interesting, built for MX bikes rather than a UTV it was narrow but really good fun with drop offs, jumps and some water splashes all thrown in and the Wildcat did them all with style. 

One of the issues with off road racing is that the tracks tend to be remote with no water and no power so if you want to wash the car or bike down afterwards you're pretty much stuck but this time we got to use the new Karcher pressure washer. The one Thorney have is a self contained generator and pressure washer in one unit, small enough to put in the back of a Yamaha Rhino or in our case the back of the TMS support van. All Thorney did was add a 100 litre water tank and we were good for several washes of the Wildcat. Really is a decent bit of kit, only a foot and half square it makes it easy to just chuck in the back of the van and 100 litres of water was good for 4/5 full Wildcat washes or 30 odd MX bikes, certainly makes unloading once back at the race workshop less if a chore.

Thorney Offroad is part of Thorney Motorsport who we are working with on the Z20 LEH Astra engine conversion into our Corsa SRI Race car. More details here.

Arctic Cat Wildcat Declared Winner!

Dirt Trax Magazine set the stage for the long-awaited grudge match between the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 and the Polaris RzR XP 900. The Dirt Trax crew challenged themselves to dig deep as they developed their opinions and impressions to answer the raging question: Who has the best Pure-Sport ROV?
After pitting the two against each other and evaluating all aspects of the machines, the conclusion was no surprise; the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 was given the nod in this comparison. The most opinionated editors in the business said the Wildcat brings an extra measure of performance to critical areas buyers will immediately appreciate.
Key talking points from the article-

• The Wildcat nailed the high performance Pure Sport Side x Side equation out of the gate
• Electronic Power Steering (EPS) makes the Wildcat exceptionally easy to drive
• Handling of the Walker Evans shocks with remote reservoirs and staggering 18-inches of suspension travel will make you a better driver
• Plush interior is luxurious with stitched bucket seats and plenty of leg room
• The sensation of covering rough terrain at speed is so profound it is shocking

Click here to read the full article (reproduced courtesy of Dirt Trax Magazine).
Thorney Offroad race and sell the Arctic Cat Wildcat side by side here in the UK. Much more information on this awesome machine including how to get your hands on one right now can be found on the Thorney Offroad Wildcat website.

First Wildcat race win for Thorney Motorsport

At the recent side by side offroad race meeting held at Haresfield race track Thorney Offroad, racing their Arctic Cat Wildcat SxS secured a convincing victory. It was a great UK race debut for the Wildcats, every other competitor lapped and the race win by a good distance!

This first UK Wildcat race was arranged by the ACU and Quad Events UK, the organisers of the British Quad X- Country Championship. Billed as a demonstration race the course was a one hour enduro event over a 7 miles course as used by the quads so it was rough, muddy and brilliant fun.
For a full race report together with photos of the Wildcats in action click here.
Thorney Motorsport are currently preparing our 400bhp, 2 litre Astra VXR powered Corsa race car and used the same race preparation skills to set up and race the Wildcat.
A full race schedule of events across the UK for Wildcat owners to compete in is currently being finalised by Thorney Offroad - their website provides up to date information.

Corsa VXR Racing for Sale

The time has come to put our Corsa VXR Racing up for sale. Our project with Thorney Motorsport to transplant the Astra VXR engine into our other Corsa SRI race car is nearing completion and so we need to concentrate our time and effort on further development of this race car.
We have a dedicated website at www.corsavxrracing.info which describes in detail all the upgrades and performance enhancements that have been carried out, again by Thorney Motorsport, on the Corsa VXR Racing. For full sale details of this exceptional Corsa VXR Racing click here.
If you need any further information or want to view the Corsa please do not hesitate to contact us.

Goodwood Festival of Speed - 28 June to 1 July

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport 'royalty' to create the largest car culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual hill-climb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive.
This year Thorney Offroad will be there with the exciting new Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000i H.O. side by side machine. As the first distributor to have the Wildcat here in the UK they are taking this opportunity to showcase the looks and demonstrate the awesome performance the Wildcat has to offer.
Located in the Offroad section you will have unfettered access to explore these Wildcats - in addition Thorney will be putting them through their paces on the specially designed offroad circuit.
Visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed website for general info or contact Thorney Offroad directly if you are interested in visiting them at the festival.
Thorney Offroad is a division of Thorney Motorsport, our partner in the Astra Z20 LEH engine transplant into our Corsa race car.